Welcome to Insider Out Travel, a blog about LGBT travel written by LGBT tourism professionals. Travel the globe and gain insight into the tourism industry (with a gay twist), brought to you by the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.

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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Gay-Friendly Rosario, Argentina

Beach Cafes, Rosario, Argentina

By Roy Heale

Rosario is a radiant city on the move
with a tolerant and gay-friendly population. The city is nestled in
a gentle twist of the mighty Paraná River about 300 km
northwest of the city of Buenos Aires. Due to this close proximity to
the Capital City, it is often overlooked as a potential gay vacation
destination by first time LGBT travelers to Argentina.

However, Rosario freely displays its
natural ‘water-world’ of the Upper Delta with its magic islands
covered by lush vegetation and the many desirable sandy beaches. In
the city proper there are a number of museums, a curious blend of
Spanish and Italian architecture, lovely parks harboring
beautiful statues and monuments. The rainbow adorned LGBT Paseo
de la Diversidad walk and monument is proudly located
on the river boardwalk---located between Corrientes and Paraguay
streets---for all to see. There are numerous beaches along the river
front, restaurants with international cuisine, and steakhouses where
you can sample the renowned Argentine beef cooked on a parilla, or
taste the local gourmet speciality---fresh river fish.

Paseo de la Diversidad, Rosario, Argentina

Vacation activities abound for the LGBT
traveler to enjoy in Rosario. Night life is exciting with several gay
discos---mostly open only on weekends--- gay-friendly bars, sidewalk
cafes, and restaurants in a balmy, romantic atmosphere.

The local gay map and guide De
Ambiente is an excellent source
of Rosario LGBT information which is updated and published four
times per year. It is readily available around town including the
Official City Tourism Information Centers---another sign of how
gay-friendly this city really is!

You know that you have arrived at a
gay-friendly Hotel when the De Ambiente is displayed
prominently in the hotel lobby along with other tourist information
brochures. Such is the case with The Plaza del Sol Hotel in the heart
of downtown Rosario where the local gay guide is readily available in
the foyer. The welcoming gay-friendly staff are also extremely
helpful and it is nearby all the
historic attractions, including the Paseo de la Diversidad,
Independence Park Theatre, and El Círculo Opera House, plus numerous
gay-friendly cafes, bars, and clubs.

A short City Bus
ride---costing less than two dollars---on the special “de la Costa”
bus route will take you from downtown to the extensive sandy beaches
of La Florida neighbourhood. Here sun worshippers gather around the
umbrellas, beach volleyball games are everywhere, outdoor bars and
cafes are dotted along the shore, nautical sports and bathers catch
the eye. Were it not for the calm river and the lush islands in the
background, it would seem akin to a tropical ocean resort beach.

Florida Beach, Rosario, Argentina

For relaxation, you can take a
leisurely cruise on the Paraná River and thread your way through a
maze of vegetation-rich islands in the delta or, if you are more
adventure-minded, paddle a kayak across to one of the islands. Many
tourists and locals alike ride bicycles or horses around the parks.

Rosario is the city where General
Manuel Belgrano, one of Argentina’s most important forefathers,
designed the country’s flag. One of the most popular attractions in
the city is the impressive Flag Monument placed in the Parque
Nacional de la Bandera (National Flag Park). There is also the
possibility of heading to the top of the monument's tower for a great
view of the city and river valley.

National Flag Monument, Rosario, Argentina

The history of LGBT Rosario is
extensive and fascinating. According to local historian and long time
Rosario resident Carlos Italiano---writer, history and Italian
teacher---even during the oppressive dictatorships and religious
influences the gay community in Rosario continued to thrive in
secret. Some of their clandestine meeting places still exist today
like the Hotel Savoy lobby bar. Although it has been renovated and
upgraded it still seems to have a gay atmosphere inherited from those
early days. Even Ricky Martin chose this hotel for his gay
home-away-from-home when he visited Rosario. What could establish a
gay reputation more than a “Royal Visit”?

In those early days the main gay
cruising street was San Juan Street dating back about forty-five
years when there were no bars or clubs in which the LGBT community
could gather and no internet for instant hook-ups. Coincidentally,
the gay-friendly Plaza del Sol hotel is located on this street today.

The renowned El Cairo Cafe was also a
gathering place for the gay community along with local famous artists
and authors. Today the Cafe has undergone a major restoration and is
still a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike.

Savoy Hotel, Rosario, Argentina

The journey from Buenos Aires by bus,
train, or rental car takes about three hours. It is well worth a side
trip to Rosario for LGBT city life with some great opportunities for
a change of pace and some relaxation during a gay vacation to
Argentina.

With such a rich LGBT history, the
Paseo de Diversidad, and a thriving LGBT community, it is no wonder
that Rosario is recognized as an extremely gay-friendly major city in
Argentina.